Friday, January 22, 2010

1.13

Outside on the fire escape there was a fight. A pigeon fight. Feathers were flying everywhere. It was some sort of avian street battle that took everyone’s attention away from Penelope and Frank leaving the room. In the midst of the squab squabble no one had also noticed Amelia pocket the other missing statue foot that she had noticed when she lowered her head after being insulted. A couple people did notice the man in the non-payless brand shoes making a pattern on the coffee table with multicolored candy shelled chocolates.

Penelope spoke first once they reached the bedroom, “What the F, Frank!”

She stomped over to Franks nightstand where she pulled out Franks copy of the King James bible. Opening it up she continued, “Why are we even here? If we did this at your office I could at least pull the fire alarm and clear the place out. I don’t really think either of us are in a state to be entertaining right now.” Inside the bible was a small collection of airplane cocktail bottles. She broke the seal on a tiny Dewers and chugged it.

“Can we call the police on our own party?” Frank, still waiting his meds to kick in grabbed a small bottle of something blue in the bible and opened it up.

“We could if your co-worker, Helen’s, cop husband wasn’t here with her…” Penelope lifted up the mattress from the bed frame and removed a cigar box.

“We could set off the sprinkler system… No, that would make a mess.”

Penelope opened the cigar box and pulled out some dried mango in a zipper-locked bag and passed the box to Frank. Frank removed a bag of dried cranberries and put the box back under the mattress.

Things seemed to be picking up again in the party in the other room. Chatter was heard, someone turned up the music, cabinet doors were opening and closing. The flighted fracas must have ceased, one bird was no doubt victorious.

An awkward knock rapped on the door. Two quick knocks, a pregnant pause, and then one unsure knock. After a moment of no reply the door opened and Amelia popped her head in. The two quickly hid their dried fruit behind their backs.

“Frank, it looks… Um… the trash can seems to be… Do you want me to put another out?” Clearly she was really staking out the situation. Frank’s eyes fluttered slightly as he prepared to reply.

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